Second ceiling air conditioning apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, there is provided a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus, comprising: an air conditioner configured to cool air to a desired temperature; one or more conduits configured to conduct the cool air from the air conditioner; and a second ceiling positioned immediately below a structural ceiling, the second ceiling being configured to receive the cool air from the one or more conduits, thereby cooling at least a portion of air below the second ceiling.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to an air conditioning system and more particularly to a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus and system.

Air conditioning technology has not significantly improved for many years.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, there is provided a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus, comprising: an air conditioner configured to cool air to a desired temperature; one or more conduits configured to conduct the cool air from the air conditioner; and a second ceiling positioned immediately below a structural ceiling, the second ceiling being configured to receive the cool air from the one or more conduits, thereby cooling at least a portion of air below the second ceiling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings provide visual representations which will be used to more fully describe various representative embodiments and can be used by those skilled in the art to better understand the representative embodiments disclosed herein and their inherent advantages. In these drawings, like reference numerals identify corresponding elements.

FIG. 1A is a drawing of a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus comprising a second ceiling installed in a room, with the second ceiling comprising one second ceiling panel.

FIG. 1B is a detail drawing of a valve comprised in the conduit and currently in a closed position that does not allow the cool air to pass through the valve and then through the conduit on to the second ceiling.

FIG. 1C is a detail drawing of a valve comprised in the conduit and currently in an open position that does allow the cool air to pass through the valve and then through the conduit on to the second ceiling.

FIG. 1D is a drawing of a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus comprising a second ceiling installed in a room, with the second ceiling comprising two modular second ceiling panels.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus comprising a second ceiling installed in an airplane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the following description and in the several figures of the drawings, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

A second ceiling air conditioning apparatus comprising a second ceiling is provided for installation in one or more of an airplane, a motor vehicle, a room, a studio, a home, and an office. The second ceiling air conditioning apparatus takes account of the basic laws of physics instead of violating them. Physicians can use embodiments of the invention to keep things cool in one or more of an examining room and an operating room. The second ceiling air conditioning apparatus is also suitable for use in another type of office including one or more of a law office and a business office.

FIG. 1A is a drawing of a room 100 comprising a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110. The second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110 comprises an air conditioner 120, a conduit 130, and a second ceiling 140. Typically, although not necessarily, the second ceiling 140 is positioned immediately below a structural ceiling 143 of the room 100. In this example, the second ceiling 140 is positioned immediately below the structural ceiling 143. In this example, the second ceiling 140 substantially covers the full surface of the structural ceiling 143.

In this example, the second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110 does not comprise any optional spacers. Accordingly, in this example, there is no spatial separation between the second ceiling 140 and the structural ceiling 143.

The air conditioner 120 directs the conditioned, cool air via the conduit 130 to a valve 145. The valve 145 has two positions, an open position and a closed position. When the valve 145 is in the closed position, the conditioned, cool air is not allowed to pass beyond the valve 145 in the direction of the second ceiling 140. When the valve 145 is in the open position, the cool, conditioned air passes past the valve 145 into the second ceiling 140. More details on the valve 145 are provided in FIGS. 1B and 1C.

The second ceiling 140 comprises one or more optional vents 150. The one or more vents 150 are configured to provide ventilation to one or more users 160 occupying the room 100. The valve 135 may be controllable by one or more of the one or more users 160. Alternatively, or additionally, the valve 135 may be controllable by automated controls (not shown) comprised in the room 100. The automated controls (not shown) may be configured by one or more of the one or more users 160.

FIG. 1B is a detail drawing of a valve 145 comprised in the conduit 130, the conduit 130 comprising a first conduit portion 130A and a second conduit portion 130B. The valve 145 is currently in a closed position 163 so that after the cool air passes through the first conduit portion 130A and then on to the valve 145, the cool air is stopped and is not allowed to pass through the valve 145 on to the second conduit portion 130B and then on to the second ceiling 140. The valve 145 will typically—as shown here—although not necessarily be comprised in the conduit 130. Alternative embodiments could locate the valve 145 in one or more of the air conditioner 120 and the second ceiling 140.

FIG. 1C is a detail drawing of the valve 145 comprised in the conduit 130, and as before the conduit comprises the first conduit portion 130A and the second conduit portion 130B. Here the valve 145 is currently in an open position 167 so that after the cool air passes through the first conduit portion 130A and then on to the valve 145, the cool air is allowed to pass through the valve 145 on to the second conduit portion 130B and then on to the second ceiling 140.

The second ceiling 140 becomes cool from the received cool air. As a result, the second ceiling 140 cools the room 100.

FIG. 1D is a drawing of a room 100 comprising a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110. The second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110 comprises an air conditioner 120, a conduit 130, and two modular second ceiling panels 140A and 140B. Typically, although not necessarily, the second ceiling 140 is positioned immediately below a structural ceiling 143 of the room 100. In this example, the two modular second ceiling panels 140A and 140B do not substantially cover the full surface of the structural ceiling 143. In this example, the second ceiling panels 140A and 140B are positioned immediately below the structural ceiling 143.

In this example, the second ceiling air conditinoing apparatus 110 further comprises one or more optional spacers 170. The spacers 170 are positioned so as to provide spatial separation 180 between the second ceiling panels 140A and 140B and the structural ceiling 143. In this example, the spatial separation between the second ceiling panel 140A and the structural ceiling 143 is approximately half an inch. Similarly, the spatial separation between the second ceiling panel 140B and the structural ceiling 143 is approximately half an inch.

The air conditioner 120 directs the conditioned, cool air via the conduit 130 to a valve 145. The valve 145 has two positions, an open position 163 and a closed position 167. When the valve is in the closed position 167, the conditioned, cool air is not allowed to pass beyond the valve 145 in the direction of the second ceiling 140. When the valve 145 is in the open position 163, the cool, conditioned air passes past the valve 145 into the two modular second ceiling panels 140A and 140B. One or more of the two modular second ceiling panels 140A and 140B become cool from the received cool air. As a result, the one or more of the two modular second ceiling panels 140A and 140B cool the room 100.

In this example, the first modular second ceiling panel 140A does not comprise an optional vent. In this example, the second modular second ceiling panel 140B does not comprise an optional vent 150. The valve 135 may be controllable by one or more users 160. Alternatively, or additionally, the valve 135 may be controllable by automated controls (not shown) comprised in the room 100. The automated controls (not shown) may be configured by one or more of the one or more users 160.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an airplane 200 comprising a second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110. The second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110 comprises an air conditioner 120, a conduit 130, and a second ceiling 140. Typically, although not necessarily, the second ceiling 140 is positioned immediately below a structural ceiling 143 of the airplane 200. In this example, the second ceiling 140 substantially covers the full surface of the structural ceiling 143.

In this example, the second ceiling air conditioning apparatus 110 further comprises one or more optional spacers 170. The spacers 170 are positioned so as to provide spatial separation 180 between the second ceiling panels 140A and 140B and the structural ceiling 143. In this example, the spatial separation between the second ceiling 140 and the structural ceiling 143 is approximately one inch.

The air conditioner 120 directs the conditioned, cool air via the conduit 130 to a valve 145. The valve 145 has two positions, an open position 163 and a closed position 167. When the valve is in the closed position 167, the conditioned, cool air is not allowed to pass beyond the valve 145 in the direction of the second ceiling 140. When the valve 145 is in the open position 163, the cool, conditioned air passes past the valve 145 into the second ceiling 140. The second ceiling 140 becomes cool from the received cool air. As a result, the second ceiling 140 cools the airplane 200.

In this example, the second ceiling 140 does not comprise an optional vent. The one or more vents 150 are configured to provide ventilation to one or more users 160 occupying the room 100. The valve 135 may be controllable by one or more of the one or more users 160. Alternatively, or additionally, the valve 135 may be controllable by automated controls (not shown) comprised in the room 100. The automated controls (not shown) may be configured by one or more of the one or more users 160.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may be located in one or more of an airplane, a motor vehicle, a room, a studio, an office, and a home.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may further comprise a valve having a closed position that does not allow the cool air to pass through the valve on to the second ceiling, the valve also having an open position that does allow the cool air to pass through the valve on to the second ceiling.

According to still other embodiments of the invention, the conduit may comprise the valve.

According to still further embodiments of the invention, the second ceiling may substantially covers the entire structural ceiling.

According to yet other embodiments of the invention, the second ceiling may comprise one or more second ceiling panels. According to still other embodiments of the invention, at least one of the one or more second ceiling panels may be modular.

According to yet further embodiments of the invention, at least one of the one or more second ceiling panels may be movable. The apparatus comprising one or more second ceiling panels may be located in one or more of a room, a studio, an office, and a home.

One or more of the one or more modular second ceiling panels may have a standardized set of spatial dimensions.

For example, one or more of the one or more modular second ceiling panels may have a standardized set of spatial dimensions approximately equal to six feet by eight feet by two inches. For example, one or more of the one or more modular second ceiling panels may have a standardized set of spatial dimensions approximately equal to eight feet by ten feet by two inches.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the one or more second ceiling panels may substantially cover the entire surface of the structural ceiling. A single modular second ceiling panel may substantially cover the entire surface of the structural ceiling.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the second ceiling may be positioned immediately adjacent to the structural ceiling.

According to still other embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may further comprise spacers that are positioned so as to provide spatial separation between the second ceiling and the structural ceiling. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the spatial separation between the second ceiling and the structural ceiling is between approximately half an inch and approximately one inch.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the second ceiling may comprise material that, relative to other construction materials, is inexpensive. The second ceiling may comprise material that, relative to other construction materials, is lightweight. The second ceiling may comprise plastic.

Embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that they enable to user to avoid the potentially unpleasant experience of having cold air directed at his or her face as frequently happens with standard air conditioning systems. A second advantage is that embodiments of the invention provide a system and apparatus that is likely to be less expensive than current systems. A third advantage is that embodiments of the invention provides a system and apparatus that is likely to use less energy than current systems.

While the above representative embodiments have been described with certain components in exemplary configurations, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other representative embodiments can be implemented using different configurations and/or different components. There may be many variations to these components without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the order and connections of certain components can be altered without substantially impairing the functioning of the invention. For example, the valve may be comprised in the air conditioner. For example the valve may be comprised in the second ceiling.

The representative embodiments and disclosed subject matter, which have been described in detail herein, have been presented by way of example and illustration and not by way of limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form and details of the described embodiments resulting in equivalent embodiments that remain within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A cold, second ceiling air conditioning apparatus, comprising: an air conditioner configured to cool air to a desired temperature; one or more conduits configured to conduct the cool air from the air conditioner; and a second ceiling positioned immediately below a structural ceiling, the second ceiling being configured to receive from the one or more conduits one or more of cool air and cold air, thereby cooling at least a portion of air below the second ceiling, wherein the second ceiling comprises one or more second ceiling panels. 2-6. (canceled)
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more second ceiling panels is modular.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more second ceiling panels is movable.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more second ceiling panels have a standardized set of spatial dimensions.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more second ceiling panels have a standardized set of spatial dimensions approximately equal to six feet by eight feet by two inches.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more second ceiling panels have a standardized set of spatial dimensions approximately equal to eight feet by ten feet by two inches. 13-20. (canceled) 